Monday, December 12, 2016

PORTLAND, Ore. – A long tradition of officiating excellence in Great Northwest Athletic Conference football continues with the selection of a GNAC officiating crew to work this weekend’s NCAA Division II national championship game.

The GNAC crew will work the title game between Northwest Missouri State and North Alabama. The game takes place this Saturday, 3 p.m. (Central), at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, and will be televised nationally on ESPN2.

The selected crew is comprised of referee Bob Rose, umpire Kurt Renstrom, head lineman Mike Livingston, line judge Ben Keller, field judge Chad Burch, side judge Eric Cheatley, back judge Jason Castro and alternate official Dan Stivers.

The GNAC crew was selected from 17 crews nationally through an extensive evaluation program. Crews are rated by observers at each games, reviewed again by a committee of supervisors and then approved by a committee of athletic directors and coaches from across the NCAA. Crews receive a rating after the first two rounds of the playoffs and again after the national quarterfinal. The GNAC crew was rated No. 1 in the process.

“We are proud to represent the GNAC and our quality football conference,” said GNAC supervisor of officials Mike Burton. “We have excellent schools and officials.”

Rose will work his fourth collegiate national championship. He was a line judge for the 2002 Division II championship game and served as the referee for the Division III title game, the Stagg Bowl, in 2009. Rose also served as referee for the NAIA national championhip game in 2013.

The assignment continues a great run for GNAC officials over the last three years, which has seen arbiters work eight playoff games in the last three years, including two national semifinals and one championship game.